Detailed Reviews [Pluto - 1982 - "Ouverture"]

Prolusion. Norwegian artist Pluto is a veteran in the Norwegian progressive rock scene, with two solo albums to his name that were released back in the early 1980s and a third appearing at the tail end of the 1990s. Later on he formed the band Pluto & the Planets, which has a couple of albums to their name. "Ouverture" is the second of Pluto's solo albums, and was released on LP back in 1982. A CD edition of this album appeared in 2023 through the crowdfunding venture Norske Albumklassikere.

Analysis. As far as progressive rock is concerned, Pluto isn't among the artists that are out to expand any boundaries or to explore the more daring or challenging territories with his music. This isn an album safely tucked inside of a more broadly compelling landscape, where a word like atmospheric comes to mind more often than not. The dominant instrument throughout are keyboards of various kinds, used to create effects, floating textures and flowing sounds, and occasionally also for the bass and rhythms department unless I'm much mistaken. There is a distinct ambient music feel to many of these creations, and the tone and associations that comes with the sounds that are used tend to give me associations to one artist in particular, namely the late and great Vangelis. And for some of the relatively few songs featuring vocals, I was reminded of the Jon and Vangelis partnership in particular. The electric guitar is a vital instrument throughout this album too however, and while at times the guitar has a bit more of a supporting role here, there are passages, sequences as well as entire songs where the guitar does have a more prominent role. Flowing and floating textures and runs is the order of the day also for this instrument, but in this case with my associations going in a slightly different direction. I would actually be surprised if some of these songs aren't inspired by or influenced by the still great and obviously legendary Steve Hackett, as there are quite a few similarities in tone as well as execution, in my personal opinion at least. While the references here are to artists known for being providers of high quality entertainment, Pluton as of 1982 isn't at the same high level as a composer and performer. All of the songs here do have their charm and their strong sides, and some of them come across as solid and well developed creations too, but the majority of this album will for me at least be described as good rather than great. I do imagine that some of the sounds haven't aged all that well either, as this is an album that does sound like it was made in the early 80s on a few different levels, which is both a strength and weakness - depending on point of view. .

Conclusion. Pluto's second solo album "Ouverture" is a creation to seek out if you tend to enjoy an atmospheric variety of ambient progressive rock, where Vangelis and Steve Hackett are likely sources of inspiration. It is an album made in the early 80s, and comes with some calling cards from that era in sound and execution. And while I don't regard this as an essential album, it is a charming production with some solid cuts and may probably be regarded as something of a forgotten jewel by a specific niche audience. Where those who really enjoy the Jon and Vangelis collaboration strikes me as something of a key audience for this specific album.

Progmessor: December 2023